A 400-year-old pub is set to be demolished to make way for apartments for the over 55s.

The Boars Head Inn, at Ewloe, will now largely be taken up by a new three-storey building, which will be prioritised for people with mobility issues.

The plans went before politicians for a second time today and were approved after they were deferred in November because of concerns about the appearance of the development.

Joint applicants Anwyl Construction and Pennaf Housing chose to redesign the structure in order to address the issues raised and the application was recommended for approval by Flintshire Council officers.

The apartment block planned for the Boars Head site in Ewloe. (Image: Flintshire County Council)

The majority of councillors agreed that the revised submissions, which included a pitched roof rather than a flat roof, were more attractive despite some outstanding objections.

Speaking at a meeting at County Hall in Mold, committee member Cllr Kevin Hughes (Ind) thanked the developers for responding to the criticism.

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He said: "To be fair, they've listened to us and amended their design.

"I would caution that our job as a planning committee isn't to comment on the design of the building, but whether it meets the planning regulations.

"I don't see that we can argue against it on the grounds that have been put forward.

"It's 100 % affordable and there's a clear and identified need for social housing for the over 55s."

The Boars Head pub in Ewloe, which has been derelict for a number of years, will be demolished for residential housing. (Image: Ian Cooper)

Previous attempts to have the pub listed have proved unsuccessful despite it being recognised by the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Buildings in Wales as a rare example of a purpose-built inn.

It includes a later-built extension, which was used to collect tolls from the nearby road.

At the meeting community members said they still had concerns about the plans to replace it.